A Love Letter to Derrick Rose…

I want to start by saying this is not easy for me. I’m confused, Derrick. I’m not sure how to feel. Now I realize that this is a public forum but I don’t know how else to reach out to you. I’m just going to come out say it: Derrick Rose, I think I may be in love with you.

Now back in 2006 when you were at Simeon on your way to consecutive high school championships I noticed and was genuinely impressed with your play on the court. Then, when you were named to the All-Final Four team in 2008, leading the Memphis Tigers to a 2nd place finish in the NCAA tournament as a freshman, again I took notice, and again was genuinely impressed. When you then went on to winning NBA’s Rookie of the Year, averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists, my interest in you piqued further, for you were playing for my my hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Then you went on the next year to become an NBA All-Star for the first time and I, again, was pleased, impressed, and proud of what you had accomplished so quickly in your young career.

But it wasn’t until recently that these feelings started to feel like something else. Something deeper. Something more meaningful.

I see how easy it’s becoming for you to dissect opposing defenses, squirting through double teams and breaking the ankles of the guards with the unfortunate assignments of defending you. I see your teammates responding to you, looking to you for leadership, and rallying around you, even at the ripe age of 22. I see a new level of confidence (perhaps bolstered by your performance this summer at the FIBA championships in an international spotlight) that lends itself to thoughts of another Chicago Bull who will go unnamed, as that comparison is both pre-mature and un-original. I see you as the best player on a Bulls team that looks like a winner, even without the sidelined Carlos Boozer. But perhaps most importantly, I see you as a bonafide star.

You see Derrick, it’s just been so long. It’s been ages since I’ve been able to be excited about a Bulls team. Sure, since 1998 we’ve been to the playoffs a few times, even won a playoff series. And yes, that 7 game series against Boston 2 years ago was riveting. But those teams never made me feel like this. Those teams were marginally talented, relatively hard-working, sporatically exciting, etc. But those teams didn’t have a star, Derrick. In short, they didn’t have you.

Of the last 20 NBA champions only one, the Pistons in 2004, lacked a superstar. It’s a prerequisite to winning a championship in this league, and now Derrick, because of you, I can dream of that championship coming back to Chicago. I realize it may take a few years, but at least now I know we have a chance. This is probably why I can’t get a certain Whitesnake song out of my head.

So whaddya think Derrick? Should we give this a try? I mean, I like sports, music, clubbin’, XBOX, that sorta stuff. Plus I understand you like Gummy Bears – I don’t like them but I can certainly learn. We probably have a lot in common that we don’t even know about yet. Last I heard, you weren’t taken – maybe it’s time we both tried something new? I won’t get in the way of your career I promise, and I’m extremely loyal. Oh yeah, and if you need it on the hush-hush I totally understand, I know how to keep a secret. You’ve got a reputation to maintain and I understand things like that.

Well, if I don’t hear from you I’ll understand that too. I’ll just stick to sittin’ on my couch, all alone, watching you break down NBA defenses and doing your now patented and undefendable reverse layup over and over, laughing at the professional basketball players you continue to frustrate and basking in the glow from my 42″ flat screen.

One Response

WOOW! U’RE intensely brave enough to say and publish this in public..
me too i idolized D.ROSE so so much..
i’ts a crazy little thing called LOVE..haha lol:)
Of the last 20 NBA champions only one, the Pistons in 2004, lacked a superstar. It’s a prerequisite to winning a championship in this league, and now Derrick, because of you, I can dream of that championship coming back to Chicago. I realize it may take a few years, but at least now I know we have a chance. This is probably why I can’t get a certain Whitesnake song out of my head.
( this is really really true.. championship will become the greatest plesasure to the CHICAGO BULLS back in time..)
i really really love the moves of DERRICK ROSE and i hope to see him on tv for the next season and soon CB will become the champion and continouosly..
may GOD BLESS u always and also to DERRICK ROSE
i admired you since before DR..